Match-safe



No. 6I2.,960. Patented Oct. 25, I898. H. P. BARBER.

MATCH SAFE.

(Application filed Aug. 2, 1897.)

(In Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARVEY P. BARBER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MATCH-SAFE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 612,960, dated October 25, 1898.

Application filed August 2, 1897. $erlal No. 646,763. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARVEY P. BARBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Safes and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of match-safes that are adapted to hang on the wall or other convenient place of support, and has for its object to provide a device of this character in which an ordinary commercial box of matches may be inserted in bulk and then conveniently removed one at a time for use, as will be hereinafter set forth in detail.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front eleva tion of a device embodying the improved features; Fig. 2, a rear view of the same in perspective; Fig. 3, a vertical longitudinal section on line 3, Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow; and Fig. 4, a horizontal transverse section on line 4, Fig. 3, showing the device in its folded or knockdown position.

The match-safe consists of a front part or face A and a back part B, forming the receptacle proper. The material employed in the structure will ordinarily be heavy paper or paper-board.

The box part B consists of the back a, the folding sides a a, and the attaching-flanges a a and is open clear through from end to end, providing a chamber a for the insertion of the match-box 0, containing the matches I). The back part is attached to the rear side of the front plate A by the flanges a placed flatly thereon, and secured together by means of some suitable adhesive composition. An incision dis made in the back a near the lower end, and the flap d so formed is bent inwardly and provides a stop-support for the match-box when inserted, as shown in Fig. 3.

The front part Ais provided with an aperture D and a diagonal slot g, opening into the match-chamber. The aperture D provides for the insertion of the thumb and finger in grasping a match, which is then taken out through the slot g, as the width of aperture D is less slot in a horizontal plane; but by extending the slot diagonally this objection is avoided and only a single match can be conveniently removed at a time.

When empty, the device may be folded down flatly on the line h, as shown in Fig. 4. This collapsible feature provides for compactness in packing for shipment or storage, as a much greater number can be placed in a given space when folded than there could be if the device did not embody this advantage.

The device is provided on the front side with the roughened scratch-surface h and in the back with the hanging-up aperture 71?.

In practical use the box of matches is inserted at the top end and pushed down until the lower end of the box rests on the inwardlybent flap d. The device is then hung up in some convenient place and is ready for use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A match-safe, provided in the front part with an aperture for the insertion of the thumb and finger in grasping a match, and having a slot running diagonally across said aperture and extending past either side thereof, whereby the loose matches are prevented from accidentally falling out, and permitting of but a single one being removed at a time, substantially as described.

2. A match-safe, adapted to hold a loose box of matches and comprising a front part provided with an aperture opening into the match-chamber and having a slot running diagonally thereacross, a back part, provided with an inturned stop-flap, and the folding sides, connecting the front and back parts, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARVEY P. BARBER.

Witnesses:

L. M. FREEMAN, L. B. COUPLAND. 

